Shape Shifters

Amazing but True!

Alloys are mixtures of metals that have properties that the individual metals don’t have. One property of some alloys is the amazing ability to change shape.

These alloys are called shape-memory alloys. The alloy named nitinol is an example. It’s a mixture of the transition metals nickel and titanium. Nitinol is used in braces to apply pressure to teeth and gently move them into new positions.

Credit: Lenore Edman

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenore-m/9462152790/

License: CC BY-NC 3.0

Nitinol is also used to make stents that can keep arteries open
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